It appears that the Narusean-class frigates have been selected by Thailand as “bodyguards” for the aircraft carrier HTMS Charki Naruebet.
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| In a recent exercise, the Royal Thai Navy deployed a pair ofNaresuan-class frigateto escort the aircraft carrier HTMS Charki Naruebet. In the photo, one of the two Narusean-class ships runs to the right of the aircraft carrier, in the sky is a formation of JAS-39 Gripen C/D fighters. Photo source: Sina |
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| Although it is only a joint exercise, it is possible that the Royal Thai Navy will “default” on the Naresuan pair as “bodyguards” and “guardians” to protect the safety of the Charki Naruebet aircraft carrier, which does not have strong self-defense weapons. Photo source: Sina |
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| Despite having large warships of over 2,000 tons for a long time, the Thai Navy has not had a warship with strong enough air defense capabilities to protect the HTMS Charki Naruebet – the only aircraft carrier in Southeast Asia. And now, after the Narusean pair was upgraded, they have finally found a “bodyguard”. Photo source: Sina |
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| Currently, the Thai Navy has two Naresuan-class ships named HTMS Naresuan (421) and HTMS Taksin (422) built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) in 1993-1994. Since 2011, the two ships have been modernized by Thailand with Western-standard weapons and radar systems, significantly increasing their power. Photo source: Sina |
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| The Naresuan-class warship has a full load displacement of 2,985 tons, is 120m long, 13.7m wide, and has a draft of 6m. The ship is equipped with an LM2500 gas turbine engine and 2 MTU diesel engines with two propellers for a maximum speed of 32 knots, with a range of 7,400km. Photo source: Sina |
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| Before modernization, the Naresuan class was not highly regarded for its combat capabilities as its anti-aircraft firepower consisted of only 37mm guns and no missiles. After the upgrade, it was completely transformed with a full range of air defense missiles, anti-submarine weapons, etc., and the addition of a GIRAFFE passive phased array radar system that can detect stealth aircraft (reconnaissance range 10-470km) and a Thales LW08 long-range early warning reconnaissance radar. Photo source: Sina |
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| Close-up of the vertical launch system (VLS) Mk.41 equipped for the frigate HTMS Naresuan (421). Photo source: Sina |
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| The Mk.41 launcher can deploy 32 RIM-162 ESSM sea-to-air missiles designed specifically to counter supersonic cruise missiles. It has a range of about 50km, using a terminal-phase semi-active radar homing head. Photo source: Sina |
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| Close-up of the stern superstructure with both sides equipped with 30mm DS30M Mark 2 automatic defense guns designed to destroy air and sea threats. However, with a firing rate of only 100-200 rounds/minute, the DS30M is said to be unable to counter enemy anti-ship missiles. Photo source: Sina |
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| Right behind the command post are two RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship cruise missile launcher modules, equivalent to Vietnam's Kh-35 Uran-E. Photo source: Sina |
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| 127mm Mk45 naval gun with a range of 24km on a Thai warship. Photo source: Sina |
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One thing that not many people know is that this pair of Naresuan warships was once the center of controversy in the Thai-Chinese defense relationship. Specifically, after China handed over the ships, Thailand discovered that they had many technical defects. For example, the electrical wires in the ships seemed to be old; the combat damage control system was very limited, and the fire fighting system was poor. Photo source: wikipedia
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According to Baodatviet
